Application Guide
How to Apply for Legal Manager
at Council on Energy, Environment and Water
🏢 About Council on Energy, Environment and Water
The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) is one of Asia's leading not-for-profit policy research institutions, driving impactful change at the intersection of energy, environment, and water. Working here offers the unique opportunity to shape critical environmental policies in India while being part of an organization that bridges rigorous research with real-world implementation, making it ideal for legal professionals passionate about sustainability and public interest law.
About This Role
As Legal Manager at CEEW, you'll be the internal legal authority ensuring all operations—from complex grant agreements with international donors to NGO compliance under FCRA—are legally sound and strategically aligned. This role is impactful because you'll directly protect and enable CEEW's mission-driven work, minimizing legal risks while facilitating partnerships that advance environmental solutions across India.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing a draft grant agreement from an international donor, ensuring compliance with FCRA and tax laws, followed by advising program teams on legal risks in a new research partnership. Later, you could update internal data privacy policies, conduct a training session for staff on employment law updates, and coordinate with external counsel on a minor contractual dispute—all while keeping CEEW's mission at the forefront of every decision.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Council on Energy, Environment and Water Is Looking For
- Has 7-10+ years specializing in non-profit legal frameworks, with demonstrated expertise in FCRA regulations, trust laws, and corporate compliance specific to Indian NGOs.
- Possesses a track record of drafting and negotiating MoUs, grant agreements, and NDAs in a research or policy environment, ideally with exposure to international funding bodies.
- Is a collaborative communicator who can translate legal complexities for diverse teams—from researchers to donor relations—and manage external counsel effectively during disputes.
- Shows proactive initiative in developing organizational policies and training staff, reflecting a deep understanding of India's evolving data privacy and employment law landscape.
📝 Tips for Applying to Council on Energy, Environment and Water
Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with FCRA compliance and non-profit legal structures—mention any work with trusts, societies, or Section 8 companies in India.
Include concrete examples of drafting grant agreements or MoUs for environmental, research, or policy organizations, emphasizing donor collaboration.
Research CEEW's recent projects (e.g., solar energy initiatives, water governance reports) and reference how your legal skills could support their specific operational needs.
Demonstrate your knowledge of India's data privacy laws (like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act) and NGO regulations, as these are critical for this role.
If you have experience with international donors (e.g., foundations, multilateral agencies), detail how you managed legal aspects of those partnerships.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain your direct experience with non-profit legal frameworks in India, particularly FCRA and trust laws, linking it to CEEW's operational needs.", 'Highlight a past success in drafting or reviewing complex agreements (like grant contracts) that facilitated research or policy work, showing strategic legal support.', 'Emphasize your ability to collaborate across teams—such as translating legal requirements for program staff—and your proactive approach to compliance training.', "Express specific interest in CEEW's mission, noting how your legal expertise can advance their work in energy, environment, or water policy."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review CEEW's annual reports and recent publications to understand their key projects, donors, and legal exposure areas (e.g., international collaborations).
- → Study India's FCRA regulations and recent amendments, as well as laws governing non-profits (trusts, societies), to discuss compliance confidently.
- → Explore CEEW's organizational structure and partnerships—note any government engagements or donor relationships mentioned on their website.
- → Look into India's environmental and energy policy landscape to grasp the context in which CEEW operates, including relevant regulatory frameworks.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without mentioning non-profit legal experience or FCRA knowledge—this role requires specialized expertise.
- Focusing solely on corporate law examples without highlighting work with NGOs, trusts, or compliance in a research/policy setting.
- Overlooking the importance of collaboration—failing to demonstrate how you've worked with non-legal teams or managed stakeholder relationships.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Council on Energy, Environment and Water!